Let the rain be blood! ( War Game )

The Hunt for Athena's Hideout

....I should focus on Athena's kids. 

Sneaky little know-it-alls..... they could wait for the best time to ambush me... I am alone after all.

 Where could they be hiding?

As I walked through the camp, my mind was running through the possibilities. Athena's kids weren't the type to just hide anywhere. They had to pick the perfect spot—somewhere that gave them a strategic advantage, a place where they could watch and plan without being seen.

Think like an Athena kid. 

Where would they go?

The camp was full of places to hide. The dense forest, the caves near the stream, the tall hills that overlooked the campgrounds. All were decent options, but none of them felt right. Athena's kids didn't just hide for the sake of hiding. They'd choose a place where they could observe everything, where they could watch the game unfold and strike when the moment was right.

They want control. 

They want to be ten steps ahead of everyone else.

I knew these woods well enough to map them in my sleep, and that gave me an edge. There were a few places that came to mind as possible hideouts, but only one stood out as the most likely.

The old observation tower.

It was perched on the highest hill in the camp, an old, abandoned structure that used to be used for lookout duty back in the day. It hadn't been touched in years, and most people didn't even remember it was there. It was the perfect place to hide.

Why? Because it had everything Athena's cabin would want: high ground, a 360-degree view of the entire camp, and a single entrance that could be easily defended.

Yeah, if I were them, that's where I'd be.

I kicked a loose rock aside as I started making my way in that direction, slipping through the trees as quietly as possible. The moonlight barely penetrated the thick canopy above, but that was fine by me. I was used to moving in the dark.

If they're up there, they're probably feeling pretty safe right about now. 

Safe enough to make a mistake.

I thought about the few other places they could be: maybe the cliffs by the river, or even the underground tunnels near the armory. But neither of those spots felt right. Athena's kids wouldn't want to be trapped in a tunnel, and they wouldn't want to risk getting caught by the water either. They'd want high ground and a clear line of sight.

The tower it is.

I slowed down as I got closer, keeping my senses sharp. There wasn't any movement that I could detect, but I knew better than to assume I was alone. If they were up there, they'd have someone on lookout.

Gotta be careful. 

They're expecting someone eventually.

The observation tower loomed ahead, its wooden frame barely visible through the trees. It was an old, creaky thing, but it would give them exactly what they needed—a perfect vantage point to see the whole camp and plan their next move.

I crouched behind a large oak tree, peering out at the tower. From this angle, it looked deserted, but that didn't mean anything. They were smart enough to stay out of sight, especially if they were expecting someone like me to come snooping around.

They've probably got traps set up, too.

 Wouldn't put it past them.

I thought back to the war games over the years. Athena's kids were always the brains behind every operation. They didn't just fight with brute force; they fought with plans, layers of strategy, and backup plans in case those strategies went wrong. It was exhausting how thorough they were.

They probably know I'm hunting them, if not me then ares kids.

 I bet they're sitting up there, waiting, watching.

I scanned the area again, thinking through my approach. If I was going to get to them, I'd need to be smarter than they were. Charging up there head-on would be a death sentence.

No, I'll need to be sneaky. 

I've got time on my side.

I sank back into the shadows of the trees, thinking through my options. The tower was the best hiding spot in camp, but getting to it without being detected? That was the challenge. I needed a plan.

Okay. 

Time to play their game. 

If they're up there, they'll expect someone to come up the main path. 

So, don't take the main path.

I looked around the base of the hill, eyeing the dense underbrush that circled the tower. There were a couple of other ways up—one of which was a narrow path on the other side of the hill that most people didn't know about. It was overgrown and steep, but it was out of sight. And that was exactly what I needed.

I'll take the long way.

Stay low, stay quiet, and let them get comfortable.

Athena's cabin might have the brains, but I had something they didn't expect—patience. Let them think they were safe. Let them think no one could reach them.

I stood up slowly, keeping to the shadows as I began circling the hill, heading for the back path. If Athena's kids really were up in that tower, then I was going to give them a surprise they'd never see coming.

Let's see how smart they really are.